Game-table



J. M. WEST.

GAME TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I0, m9.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I M W 71: anveuto'n novel TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH M. WEST, OF ROCKPOR'I, MISSOURI.

GAME-TABLE.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

Application filed June 10, 1919. Serial N 0. 303.100.

To all whom it may concem:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH M. Wnsr, a citizen of the United States,residing at Rockport, in the county of Atchison and State of Missouri,have invented a new and useful Game-Table, of which the following to berolled or struck over the surface of the table.

A further object of the invention is to provide a table having aplurality of passageways rovided with entrance mouths of ormation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a table of the characterset forth having an individual compartment in communication with eachpassageway, whereby a ball entering any particular passageway isconducted to its own compartment, so that the possibility of dispute asto which passageway the ball entered is eliminated.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in combination with atable of the character set forth, of a special form of plug adapted toclose the openings or passageways, in the table, whereby the table maybe used for the playing of games in which openings or pockets are notused.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as thedescrlptlon proceeds, the invention consists in the novel features ofconstruction and combination of parts which will be more fully describedhereinafter and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a plan v1ew of my improved table;

Fig. 2 is a cross section thereof, taken on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, showing a modifiedform of passageway by which the balls are led to their individualcompartments and Fig. 4 is a sectional view through one of thepassageways in the table, showing my improved plug or stopper appliedthereto.

The same characters of reference designate the same parts in thedifferent figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the table is formed of side and end walls 2and 3 respectively, which are supported on legs 4:- A bottom 5 issecured between the side and end walls, and a carom edge or rail 6 issupported above such side and end walls. Spaced above the bottom 5 is atop member 7 forming a playing surface, which may be covered in theusual manner with a suitable fabric. The top '7 has the two corners atone end thereof cut away and an upstanding rail 8 supported along suchcut away edge, thereby forming a triangular opening between such railand the side and end rails 6. A pair of trays 9 are adapted to be placedon the bottom 5 at the corners of the table below the cut away cornersof the playing surface or top. and. each provided with a plurality ofcompartments or chambers, each of which is in communication with apassageway 10 passing through the top 7, whereby a ball falling into anyparticular passageway cannot pass into any other compartment than theone below such passageway. By this construction the chambers orcompartments are all carried within the table itself, and the end of thetable is not disfigured by any projecting structure. It will beunderstood, of course, that the trays may, if desired be adapted to beremoved from the table for the purposes of cleaning, etc., by makingthem in the form of drawers.

In the present instance the mouth or entrance of each passageway 10 isflared so as to form a convex surface, as shown at 11, over which theball must pass before entering the passageway, while the passagewayitself is just large enough to permit the ball to pass therethrough. Theformation of the passageways only large enough to permit the passage ofthe ball therethrough, together with the peculiar form of the surface ofthe mouth of such passageway over which the ball must roll in order toenter the passageway, is a very essential feature, since it inr it willrun aroun dsev eral times upon the surface of the mouth. Notinfrequently it 1 and the same shot.

happens that after these performances upon one mouth the ball will passon to oneor two other mouths; and reproduce the same or equally amusingphenomena, all at one A'ball will sometimes run'around upon the surfaceof themouth .many times before it finally seems to deci de What to do.At othertimes, rafter rolling around in this manner, it will suddenlyjump upon thetable and stopright at the wedge of the mouth, while atstillother times,

afterpassing over the edge. of the mouth it" will rock back andforth anumberof times 7 before either dropping. into the passageway or gettingout upon the table.

This construction, therefore, not only adds considerably to the livelyinterest in the game,"but to the necessity for greatskill in order toplay it successfully. A-further advantage inher- .ent in the particularformation of the surface of the mouth is the fact that the fabric withwhich'the playing surface is covered.

does not wear out, as quickly as when stretched over a straight-edge.

The mannerof formlng the face at the mouth ofthe passageway is im- 7.material, and this may bedone in a variety of different ways. Forinstance, the material of the top 7 itself may be'so shaped as tosurface. 7 sake of illustration, I have shown a counter.

provide the proper convex formation, or

straight holes may be formed through the top 7 and a lining tube placedtherein having a flaring mouth provided with a curved In the presentinstance, for the bore formed in the top, in which is fitted a washer 12.of wood or anyother suitable material and having a convex surfaceat itsinner. circumference. V

In Fig.4 I have shown a specialform of.

' plugby means of which the mouths oft-he I Jpassageways may be closedsoiasto. adapt the table for the playing of games wherein pockets arenot used. The plug 13 has its periphery concaved to fit. the convexformation of the mouth. At the center of the plug.

is secured a stem 1ft that extends downward through the table top andcarries at-its lower end a disk 15 adapted to engage the under 7 surfaceof the top around the passageway,

and; a wing nut 16 threaded on the end of thestem ou tside' of the disk,whereby the plug may be drawn into tight engagement with the mouthof thepassageway.

In Fig. 3 is shown a somewhat modified form of passageway formed bymeansof av .tube 17 which may lead to a chamber or compartment locatedat some distancefrom the point of. delivery fromvthe table top. The topmay be formed, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of a base member 7 of wood orother suitable material on which is supported the usual slate top '7.

'ment which'it must occupy at the end of 'theplay, certain rules beingpromulgated curved sur-' he precise features of construction Shown;

as I am aware that many mechanical h In the form of the de ice hereinillus-- trated, the passageways are shown in V- shaped arrangement, butit will be understood that they maybe arranged in any desired formationand of any preferred number. I 7 From the foregoing it .will be seenthat have provided a table on which a number of games may be played. Forinstance, such games as call for the placing of .certain' balls in theirown particular compartments maybe playedbyhaving the ball numbered ofthe passageways and compartmentslnog 9.0

mistake can possibly be made as to. the passageway through which theballentered the compartment. The balls maybe rolled by hand or shot witha cue' or a mallet, the

preferred manner being to rack l the balls. at theend of the tableopposite from the end at which the passageways are'formed; and fortheplayer to stand at thepassage way end of the table and cause the ballsto caromagainst the rail and rebound into the i i desired passageway. i

While I have described in detail the structure herein illustrated, it-isto be understood that Ido not thereby'limit my inventionto andmodifications may be made therein without departing. from the spirit andscope j of the. invention as set forth inthe claims H 7 hereto appended.7 *Having thus described my invention, what' I claim is: i V I 1. A gameapparatus,'comprising a table provided with a bottom, a top spaced fromsaid bottom and provided with a carom' rail therearound, aplurality ofpassageways '115 in said .top,fa plurality of compartments locatedinsaid table below; sald'top, one compartment in individual communication"with one of said passageway s,gthe mouth of a each of saidpassagewaysgv-being larger than V the passageway and having a convexsurface over which a ball. must pass beforeen- 1 teringsuch passageway.v r I 2. Agame apparatus, comprisinga tableI provided-with ,abottom,- atop spaced from saidbottom and provided withacarom rail therearound, aplurality of passageways in said top adapted to permit the passage ofballs, trays adapted to be located below said top, and each havingaplurality of compare" 18.0

'ments in individual communication with the passageways, the mouth ofeach of said passageways being larger than the passageway and having aconvex surface over which a ball must pass before entering suchpassageway.

3. The combination with a table provided with a top having a pluralityof passageways, the mouth of each of said passageways being larger thanthe passageway and having a convex surface over which a ball must passbefore entering such passageway, of means adapted to close the mouths ofthe passageways whereby the table will present a plane surface.

4. The combination with a table provided with a top having a luralit ofpassageways, the mouth of each of sai passageways being larger than thepassa eway and having a convex surface over w ich a ball must passbefore entering such passageway, of means for closing the mouths of thepassageways whereby the table will present a plane surface, said meanscomprising a plug for each of said mouths adapted to fit the convexsurface thereof, a stem secured to said lug, a disk on the opposite endof the stem adapted to close the lower end of the passageway, and a wingnut threaded on said stem.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

. JOSEPH M. WEST.

Witnesses:

DAVID CrmEsMAN, SYLVESTER A. WEST.

Copies 01' this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

